ESSENDON coach James Hird says it was "very concerning" to hear the anonymous mother of an Essendon player express her fears about the club's 2012 supplement program on radio on Thursday. 

He said the welfare of the players was a high priority for everyone at Essendon.  

"It was very concerning. I think the welfare of our players is something that we all hold in high regard and are very concerned about, so it was very concerning to hear it," Hird said. 

The woman, who preferred not to be identified, told radio station Triple M that her son was an Essendon player and that he had become so worried and upset about what had happened at the Bombers during 2012 that he considered giving the game away. 

The caller also blasted Hird for not mentioning the players' welfare during his press conference on Wednesday, held after the charges laid against the club were made public. 

However her identity remains a mystery and the club says it is keen to get into contact with the parent so it can allay her fears. However no one has identified themselves yet. 

"We are still trying to [make] contact and find out who that person is," Hird said. 

Hird was due to appear at a scheduled press conference at Windy Hill at 11am but withdrew at the last minute. 

He told reporters he had to deal with a few matters pertaining to Saturday night's game against Carlton.

Simon Goodwin stood in for Hird and said the senior coach would be in the coach's box for the game. 

Tim Watson, Essendon legend and father of Bombers' skipper Jobe Watson, said on radio station SEN on Thursday morning that Hird should consider standing aside if he did not feel he could properly fulfil his duties as coach.